稻壳灰-地聚物固化土力学特性及机理分析

为了研究绿色环保新型流态固化土在狭窄肥槽回填等工程问题中的应用,提出稻壳灰联合地聚物固化工程渣土形成流态稻壳灰-地聚物固化土。采用无侧限抗压强度（UCS）试验、X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和X射线能谱分析（EDS）等测试方法,研究稻壳灰的掺量与粒径对稻壳灰-地聚物固化土的无侧限抗压强度（UCS）的影响规律,并探讨了稻壳灰掺量与粒径对其微观结构影响规律。结果表明:稻壳灰-地聚物固化土的净浆流动度与稻壳灰的掺量、粒径呈负相关关系,其凝结时间与稻壳灰掺量呈正相关关系,但与稻壳灰的粒径呈负相关关系;稻壳灰-地聚物固化土UCS值随着稻壳灰的掺量增加、粒径降低而显著提高,当稻壳灰的掺量增加到10%后,强度提升效能降低,初步判定稻壳灰的最优掺量为10%;固化过程中产生水化硅铝酸钠（N-A-S-H）和水化硅酸钙（C-S-H）2种凝胶,起到填充内部孔隙和胶结土颗粒的作用,使整体结构趋于完整,是稻壳灰-地聚物固化土强度提升的根本原因。研究成果可为稻壳灰在流态固化土的工程应用提供理论依据。     

Induced degradation of crude oil mediated by microbial augmentation and bulking agents

Different bacterial and fungal strains, isolated from petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, were tested, in isolation as well as in combination, for their ability to degrade total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in soil samples spiked with crude oil (2, 5 or 10 %, w/w) for 30 days. The selected combination of bacterial and fungal isolates, i.e., Pseudomonas stutzeri BP10 and Aspergillus niger PS9, exhibited the highest efficiency of TPH degradation (46.7 %) in soil spiked with 2 % crude oil under control condition. Further, when this combination was applied under natural condition in soil spiked with 2 % (w/w) crude oil along with inorganic fertilizers (NPK) and different bulking agents such as rice husk, sugarcane, vermicompost or coconut coir, the percent degradation of TPH was found to be maximum (82.3 %) due to the presence of inorganic fertilizers and rice husk as bulking agent. Further, results showed that the presence of NPK and bulking agents induced the activity of degradative enzymes, such as catalase (0.718 m mol H₂O₂ g^?1), laccase (0.77 µmol g^?1), dehydrogenase (37.5 µg g^?1 h^?1), catechol 1, 2 dioxygenase (276.11 µ mol g^?1) and catechol 2, 3 dioxygenase (15.15 µ mol g^?1) as compared to control (without bioaugmentation). It was inferred that the selected combination microbes along with biostimulants could accentuate the crude oil degradation as evident from the biostimulant-induced enhanced activity of degradative enzymes.     

Evaluation of bagasse ash treated lateritic soil as a potential barrier material in waste containment application

Laboratory tests were conducted on a reddish-brown lateritic soil treated with up to 12 % bagasse ash to assess its suitability in waste containment barriers applications. Soil samples were prepared using four compaction energies (i.e. reduced Proctor, standard Proctor, West African Standard or ‘intermediate’ and modified Proctor) at ?2, 0, 2 and 4 % moulding water content of the optimum moisture content (OMC). Index properties, hydraulic conductivity (k), volumetric shrinkage and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were performed. Overall acceptable zones under which the material is suitable as a barrier material were obtained. Results recorded showed improved index properties; hydraulic conductivity and UCS with bagasse ash treatment up to 8 % at the OMC. Volumetric shrinkage strain increased with higher bagasse ash treatment. Based on the overall acceptable zone obtained, an 8 % optimal bagasse ash treatment of the natural lateritic soil makes it suitable for use in waste containment barrier application.     

稻壳灰加筋土力学性能研究

稻壳灰与土体混合应用,一方面废弃资源再利用,环保,又可增强土体强度。通过三轴试验,研究不同比例稻壳灰混合黏土及其加筋土应力?应变性能、强度特性以及不同应变水平下模量、偏应力及加筋强度比等土体变化特征。试验结果表明,随稻壳灰比例增加,混合土最大干密度显著减小,最优含水率显著增加。添加不同比例稻壳灰对加筋土抗剪强度有较大影响,10%～15%稻壳灰比例下,加筋稻壳灰混合土初始切线模量和应力峰值达到最大,抗剪强度较优。与土工织物加筋稻壳灰混合土相比,土工格栅加筋稻壳灰混合土偏应力及抗剪强度更大,土工格栅层数对土体抗剪强度增大效果更明显,对应的应力?应变曲线拐点也更突出。试样弹性模量与稻壳灰比例及筋材种类、层数有关,加入稻壳灰后,土体弹性模量增长显著,土工格栅加筋稻壳灰混合土较优比例下可增加1.5倍多,稻壳灰及筋材均能有效提高土体强度。随加筋层数增加,稻壳灰混合土加筋强度比明显增大,与围压关系较小。     

Biochar effects on metal bioaccumulation and arsenic speciation in alfalfa (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago sativa L</Emphasis>.) grown in contaminated soil

Mining and geogenic activities can lead to elevated concentrations of potentially toxic elements in soil. Biochar amendment to soil is a cost-effective technology and environmentally friendly approach to control soil pollution, improve phytoremediation and mitigate health risks due to agricultural products. Greenhouse pot experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of rice husk biochar on alfalfa biomass, metal bioaccumulation and arsenic speciation. Results indicated that rice husk biochar amendments to contaminated soil increased plants biomass by improving soil fertility and available nutrients. Biochar also increased soil cation change capacity, dissolved organic carbon, while decreased available concentrations of potentially toxic elements (except for arsenic). The accumulation of nickel, lead, cadmium and zinc (except for chromium and arsenic) significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased as compared with unamended control plants. In addition, increases were observed for inorganic arsenite and arsenate. Current findings demonstrate that rice husk biochar can be used as a beneficial amendment for contaminated soil. However, further field experiments are needed to validate its long-term effectiveness where environmental factors are diverse and complex.     

流态地聚物固化土强度特性及其强度预测

地聚物胶凝材料能够替代水泥基胶凝材料作为固化剂应用于狭窄肥槽回填等工程问题中,有效降低水泥生产过程中的污染及能耗,但目前对于流态地聚物固化土胶凝材料的研究较少。采用3种新型绿色胶凝材料联合碱激发剂固化工程渣土形成流态地聚物固化土,通过对比其无侧限抗压强度,探究每种胶凝材料对于固化土强度特性的影响,同时建立强度预测模型,分析不同因素对于强度的影响程度。研究结果表明：固化土的强度随着碱激发剂模数的增加先提高后降低;固化土强度随着高炉矿渣（GGBS）、粉煤灰、稻壳灰掺量的增加均呈上升趋势,随着稻壳灰粒径的增长呈下降趋势;碱激发剂模数增至1.2、GGBS掺量增至10%、粉煤灰掺量增至8%和稻壳灰掺量增至11%时,固化土强度提升最为显著;强度预测模型预测结果的平均相对误差仅为5.57%,预测结果较为精准;预测模型中各层权值的计算结果表明养护龄期对于固化土强度影响最大,稻壳灰粒径影响程度最小。研究结果可以为固化土在实际工程的应用提供理论支持。     

Physical and Compaction Behaviour of Clay Soil–Fly Ash Mixtures

At present, nearly 100 million tonnes of fly ash is being generated annually in India posing serious health and environmental problems. To control these problems, the most commonly used method is addition of fly ash as a stabilizing agent usually used in combination with soils. In the present study, high-calcium (ASTM Class C—Neyveli fly) and low-calcium (ASTM Class F—Badarpur fly ash) fly ashes in different proportions by weight (10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 %) were added to a highly expansive soil [known as black cotton (BC) soil] from India. Laboratory tests involved determination of physical properties, compaction characteristics and swell potential. The test results show that the consistency limits, compaction characteristics and swelling potential of expansive soil–fly ash mixtures are significantly modified and improved. It is seen that 40 % fly ash content is the optimum quantity to improve the plasticity characteristics of BC soil. The fly ashes exhibit low dry unit weight compared to BC soil. With the addition of fly ash to BC soil the maximum dry unit weight (γ_dmax) of the soil–fly ash mixtures decreases with increase in optimum moisture content (OMC), which can be mainly attributed to the improvement in gradation of the fly ash. It is also observed that 10 % of Neyveli fly ash is the optimum amount required to minimize the swell potential compared to 40 % of Badarpur fly ash. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to study the effect of fly ashes on the physical, compaction, and swelling potential of BC soils, and bulk utilization of industrial waste by-product without adversely affecting the environment.     

Reinventing rice husk ash: derived NaX zeolite as a high-performing CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorbent

In this work, rice husk ash was used as silica source to synthesize NaX zeolite potentially suitable for CO₂ adsorption. The produced material, denoted NaX-RHA, was characterized employing X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and gas adsorption porosimetry, in order to verify the occurred production of well-crystallized NaX zeolite with a significant degree of purity. CO₂ adsorption isotherms on NaX-RHA were volumetrically evaluated in the 298–348 K temperature range up to standard pressure, revealing performances that are higher than those reported for commercial similar substrates. The experimental data regarding CO₂ adsorption on NaX-RHA were very satisfyingly fitted by the semiempirical Sips model. Analyzing the best fitting values of model parameters allowed to conclude that the synthesized adsorbent could be quite suitable for applications like CO₂ capture from flue gas.     

Reduction of Expansive Index,Swelling and Compression Behavior of Kaolinite and Bentonite Clay with Sand and Class C Fly Ash

Swelling behavior of expansive soil has always created problems in the field of geotechnical engineering. Generally, the method used to assess the swelling potential of expansive soil from its plasticity index, shrinkage limit and colloidal content. Alternative way to evaluate swelling behavior is from its expansive index (EI) and swelling pressure value. The present study investigates the reduction of EI and swelling pressure for kaolinite and bentonite clay when mixed with various percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. The percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash used were 0–50 % by weight. The results show that there is a significant reduction in the swelling properties of expansive soil with the addition of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. The reduction in EI ranged approximately from 10 to 50 and 4 to 49 % for kaolinite and bentonite clay, respectively. Also the maximum swelling pressure of kaolinite and bentonite clay decreased approximately 93 and 64 %, respectively with the addition of various percentages of Ottawa sand and Class C fly ash. Standard index properties test viz., liquid limit, plastic limit and linear shrinkage test were conducted to see the characteristics of expansive soil when mixed with less expansive sand and fly ash. Also, for these expansive soils one dimensional consolidation test have been conducted with sand and fly ash mixtures and the results were compared with pure kaolinite and bentonite clay.     

Phytotoxicity assessment of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on root elongation and growth of rice plant

This study was conducted to determine the phytotoxicity of 6 nm γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (IONPs) in terms of root elongation and the physiological performance of rice plants. Rice seeds (Oryza sativa L. var. Koshihikari) exposed to IONPs at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/L, had a significantly higher root elongation than the control and its bulk counterparts (IOBKs), indicating that the effect can be nanospecific. In a 14-week greenhouse pot experiment, the CO₂ assimilation rate in IOBK and IONP-treated pots (500 and 1,000 mg/pot) decreased over time, with the decline (maximum 42.5 %) being less pronounced for IONPs, indicating that the effect cannot be inferred from the toxicity of nanoscale size iron oxide. Excessive adsorption of IONPs onto soil colloids with subsequent low water extractable iron was responsible for the unremarkable phytotoxic nature of IONPs in the rice plants. Amendment of IONPs coated with 20 mmol citric acid (IONPs-Cit) significantly diminished the CO₂ assimilation rate and the decrease was similar to its bulk counterpart (IOBKs-Cit). However, maximum shoot growth inhibition (37 %) was associated with the application of IOBKs-Cit. It was concluded that massive accumulations of Fe plaque on the root surfaces of IOBKs-Cit treatments due to a decline in the pH of rhizoplane soils compared to the IONPs-Cit treatments were responsible for the remarkable shoot growth reduction. This study provided evidence of the phytotoxicity of γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, demonstrating the lower toxicity of nanosized iron oxide compared to a microsized preparation under reductive conditions.     

Evaluation of chemical immobilization treatments for reducing arsenic transport in red mud

Red mud (RM) was produced during alumina production from bauxite known as the Bayer process. Arsenic was detected in the solid phase of RM (RMsf) which was disposed in the disposal area. This study investigates the effectiveness of using Zero-valent iron (ZVI), ferrihydrite, ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄), waste acid (WA) or CO₂ for immobilization of arsenic in the RMsf. To test the effect of the amendments on the arsenic leachability, the RMsf samples were amended with the iron-based materials or acidifiers at various w/w (weight/weight) ratios (1–10 %) for 30 days. The leachability of arsenic in the RMsf was evaluated by a 4-step water elusion process. After 30-day treatment of the RMsf, the leachability of As decreased from an initial (12.7 %) to (7.0 %) with a w/w ratio of 5 % ZVI (0 %) with 5 % FeSO₄·7H₂O, (3.4 %) with 5 % ferryhydrite, (2.0 %) with 6 % WA and (11.8 %) with 6 % CO₂. FeSO₄·7H₂O and WA showed more effectively than other amendments for immobilizing arsenic. Arsenic fractionation with a sequential extraction procedure was used to evaluate the arsenic migration potential in the RMsf. FeSO₄ and WA were effective in increasing the hydrous oxide combined arsenic in the RMsf. The leachable Cl^? and SO₄ ^2? in the RMsf increased from 2.9 to 14.1 mg/g and 19.9–44.4 mg/g with 6 % WA and 5 % FeSO₄·7H₂O added, respectively. The estimated cost of the FeSO₄ and WA treatment was 0.47 and 0.49 USD per ton, respectively.     

Role of hydrolyzed rice husk in pyrite bio-oxidation

This work seeks to understand the role of hydrolyzed rice husk in pyrite bio-oxidation. Solution parameters during the bio-oxidation process were monitored, and the bio-oxidation residues were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Results showed that rice husk mainly affected pyrite bio-oxidation by promoting microbial reproduction and changing microbial community. It mainly inhibited the reproduction of Sulfobacillus and promoted the reproduction of Leptospirillum. There was a significant positive correlation between pyrite oxidation and the proportion of Leptospirillum. Rice husk had no obvious impact on the adhesion of different microorganisms on the pyrite surface. Quantity and hydrolysis of rice husk are the two factors that affect microbial communities. 1 g·L⁻¹ of fully hydrolyzed rice husk can maximize the pyrite bio-oxidation by about 20% after 14 days. The promoting mechanism of rice husk on pyrite bio-oxidation is summarized based on the results, which provides theoretical support for future industrial applications.     

Mechanical Behavior and Sulfate Resistance of Alkali Activated Stabilized Clayey Soil

Clayey subgrade soil requires treatment in order to make the subgrade stable for pavement structures. Treatment of clayey soil i.e. stabilization of clayey soil by cement, lime, and fly ash are established techniques used in geotechnical and highway engineering. Stabilization by alkali activation of fly ash is reported recently but literatures are limited. Present study investigates the stress strain behavior, peak stress and ultimate strain of clayey soil stabilized by slag and slag-fly ash blending by alkali activation. The peak stress as high as 25.0 N/mm² may be obtained at 50% slags content when 12 molar sodium hydroxide solutions were used. Peak stress, ultimate strain and slope of stress–strain curve of stabilized clay are controlled by Na/Al and Si/Al ratios. Stress–strain response and peak stress of slag and fly ash blended specimen are not governed by Na/Al and Si/Al ratios; rather the behavior is dependent predominantly on slag content.     

Coal fly ash and steel slag valorisation throughout a vitrification process

The aim of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of using the vitrification process as an alternative solution to the disposal of a coal fly ash and metallurgical slags in landfills. The starting wastes were characterised in terms of chemical, granulometric, mineralogical, and microstructural analysis. A selected batch composition composed by 58.5% fly ash, 31.5% metallurgical slag and 10.0 Na₂O% (wt%) was melted at 1450 °C and poured to obtain monolithic glass samples. The environmental behaviour of the starting wastes and the resulting glass was evaluated by standard leaching tests, which shows that vitrification leads to a stabilisation process in which the inorganic components of the wastes are immobilised throughout their incorporation into the glass structure. Moreover, vitrification transforms those hazardous wastes into a new non-hazardous glass. A preliminary study shows that the new glass is suitable for developing glass–ceramic tiles appropriate for floor pavement and wall covering.     

Textural characteristics of sediments along the southern Red Sea coastal areas,Saudi Arabia

A lack of understanding exists of the origin and textural characteristics of Saudi Arabian Red Sea coastal sediments. This paper concerns the southern coastline of Jizan on the Saudi Red Sea. It is some 160 km long characterised by either narrow rocky headlands with intermittent pocket beaches or wide low-lying beaches dissected by wadis. Granulometric testing of samples from 135 locations showed that beach sand size was mainly very fine to medium grained (M _z = 3.93 Ø), sorting ranged from 1.65 to 0.41 and skewness values from ?051 to 0.39, being mainly negative; dune sands were medium to fine grained (M _z = 1.13 Ø; average sorting 2.8), while skewness variations within dune samples indicated symmetrical to fine skewed values (б _Ι = 0.55 to 0.89). Most foreshore samples were derived from wadis. Wadi mud levels can be high, e.g. Baysh (84%), and wadi Samrah (90%) with mean grain size ranging from very fine to medium sand (M _z = 3.9 Ø), sorting being well to poor (0.45 to 1.52) due to sediment influxes. Sabkha had a wide range of sand/mud and significantly higher carbonate percentages than other environments. Sediment source differences and littoral reworking contributed to grain size variation. The carbonate content varied between 1.5 and 31.5% due to hinterland contributions, and spatial analysis showed increasing quantities of carbonate minerals towards the south. On the wider geographical front, findings from Jizan are similar to those of the Northern United Arab Emirates (UAE), including sabkhas, being composed of sand, skeletal carbonate, fine fluvial material and wind-blown silt and clay components of wadi origin. Further work on the northeastern Red Sea edge can hopefully confirm these findings.     

Iron release in aqueous environment by fresh volcanic ash from Mount Etna (Italy) and Popocatépetl (Mexico) volcanoes

In this study, we performed leaching experiments for timescales of hours-to-months in deionized water on fresh volcanic ash from Mt. Etna (Italy) and Popocatépetl (Mexico) volcanos to monitor Fe release as a function of ash mineral chemistry and size, with the aim of clarifying Fe release mechanisms and eventually evaluating the impact of volcanic ash on marine and lacustrine environments. To define sample mineralogy and Fe speciation, inclusive characterization was obtained by means of XRF, SEM, XRPD, EELS and Mössbauer spectroscopies. For Etna and Popocatépetl samples, glass proportions were quantified at 73 and 40%, Fe₂O₃ total contents at 11.6–13.2 and 5.8 wt%, and Fe³⁺/Fe_Tot ratios at 0.33 and 0.23, respectively. Leaching experiments showed that significant amounts of iron, ~?30 to 150 and ~?750 nmol g^?1 l^?1 for pristine Etna and Popocatépetl samples, respectively, are released within the first 30 min as a function of decreasing particle size (from 1 to 0.125 mm). The Popocatépetl sample showed a very sustained Fe release (up to 10 times Etna samples) all along the first week, with lowest values never below 400 nmol g^?1 l^?1 and a maximum of 1672 nmol g^?1 l^?1 recorded after 5 days. This sample, being composed of very small particles (average particle size 0.125 mm) with large surface area, likely accumulated large quantities of Fe-bearing sublimates that quickly dissolved during leaching tests, determining high Fe release and local pH decrease (that contributed to release more Fe from the glass) at short timescale (hours-to-days). The fractional Fe solubility (Fe_S) was 0.004–0.011 and 0.23% for Etna and Popocatépetl samples, respectively, but no correlation was found between Fe released in solution and either ash Fe content, glass/mineral ratio or mineral assemblage. Results obtained suggest that volcanic ash chemistry, mineralogy and particle size assume a relevant role on Fe release mostly in the medium-to-long timescale, while Fe release in the short timescale is dominated by dissolution of surface sublimates (formed by physicochemical processes occurring within the eruption plume and volcanic cloud) and the effects of such a dissolution on the local pH conditions. For all samples, a moderate to sustained Fe release occurred for leaching times comparable with their residence time within the euphotic zone of marine and lacustrine environments (variable from few minutes to few hours), revealing their possible contribution to increase Fe bioavailability.     

Synthesis of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>-loaded porous carbons developed from rice husk for removal of arsenate from aqueous solution

A simple one-step synthetic approach using rice husk has been developed to prepare magnetic Fe₃O₄-loaded porous carbons composite (MRH) for removal of arsenate (As(V)). The characteristics of adsorbent were evaluated by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. On account of the combined advantages of rice husk carbons and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, the synthesized MRH composites showed excellent adsorption efficiency for aqueous As(V). The removal of As(V) by the MRH was studied as a function of contact time, initial concentration of As(V), and media pH. The adsorption kinetics of As(V) exhibited a rapid sorption dynamics by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, implying the mechanism of chemisorption. The adsorption data of As(V) were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum uptake amount (q _m ) was calculated as 4.33 mg g^?1. The successive regeneration and reuse studies showed that the MRH kept the sorption efficiencies over five cycles. The obtained results demonstrate that the MRH can be utilized as an efficient and low-cost adsorbent for removal of As(V) from aqueous solutions.     

Leachate studies on fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners

This paper presents leachate studies on fly ash-stabilised expansive clay liners. Fly ash in different contents (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) by dry weight of the expansive clay was added to the clay, and the ash-clay blend was compacted as a liner overlying a compacted lateritic clay layer. Deionised water (DIW) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solutions of varying concentration (5 mM, 10 mM, 20 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM and 500 mM) were used as the permeating fluids in the leachate studies. Chemical analysis of the leachate was performed. For a given CaCl₂ concentration, the concentrations of both calcium ion and chloride ion in the leachate decreased up to a fly ash content of 20%, and thereafter they increased when the fly ash content was increased to 30%. Further, for a given fly ash content, concentrations of calcium ion and chloride ion increased with increasing CaCl₂ concentration.     

Hydro-mechanical evaluation of stabilized mine tailings

. In this study, mine tailings waste was stabilized using a combination of lime, fly ash type "C", and aluminum. Treated samples were subjected to mineral identification for evaluating the formation of ettringite and gypsum. Also, unconfined compression, hydraulic conductivity, and cyclic freeze and thaw tests were performed to evaluate the hydro-mechanical properties of the stabilized samples. Experimental results have shown that the application of lime and fly ash type "C" to high sulfate content tailings has improved its plasticity, workability, and volume stability. Moreover, upon addition of aluminum to lime and fly ash in a sulfate-rich environment, ettringite and calcium sulfo-aluminate hydrate are formed in these samples. Application of 5% lime, 10% fly ash type "C", in combination with 110 ppm aluminum, resulted in the formation of a solid monolith capable of producing more than 1,000 kPa of unconfined compressive strength, and reduced tailings permeability to 1.96᎒^–6 cm s^–1, which is less than the recommended permeability of 10^–5 cm s^–1 by most environmental protection agencies for reusability of solidified/stabilized samples. The permeability of the treated tailings samples remained below the recommended permeability, even after exposing the treated samples to 12 freeze and thaw cycles. Therefore, based on the experimental results, it is concluded that treatment of high sulfate-content tailings with lime and fly ash, combined with the availability of aluminum for reactions, is a successful method of solidifying highly reactive mine tailings.     

Evaluation of Static Liquefaction Characteristics of Saturated Loose Sand Through the Mean Grain Size and Extreme Grain Sizes

Liquefaction of soils is a natural phenomenon associated with a dramatic loss of the soil shear strength in undrained conditions due to a development of excess pore water pressure. It usually causes extensive damages to buildings and infrastructures during earthquakes. Thus, it is important to evaluate extent of influential parameters on the liquefaction phenomenon of soils in order to clearly understand the different mechanisms leading to its triggering. The soil gradation is one of the most important parameters affecting the liquefaction phenomenon. In this context, a series of undrained compression triaxial tests were carried out on eighteen natural loose (Dr = 25%) sandy samples containing low plastic fines content of 2% (I_p = 5%) considering different extreme sizes (1.6 mm ≤ D_max ≤ 4 mm and 0.001 mm ≤ D_min ≤ 0.63 mm) and two mean grain size ranges (0.25 mm ≤ D₅₀ ≤ 1.0 mm) and (1.0 mm ≤ D₅₀ ≤ 2.5 mm). The initial confining pressure for all tests was kept constant (P′_c = 100 kPa). The obtained test results indicate that the mean grain size (D₅₀) and extreme grain sizes (D_max and D_min) have a significant influence on the undrained shear strength (known as liquefaction resistance) and appear as pertinent factors for the prediction of the undrained shear strength for the soil gradation under study. The undrained shear strength and the excess pore water pressure can be correlated to the extreme grain sizes (D_max and D_min) and the mean grain size (D₅₀) of tested wet deposited samples.